I have a two year old who loves the water. The best part of my week is taking him to the Y on the weekends and encouraging him to blow bubbles, kick, and generally get comfortable in the pool. Most other kids that age, however, seem to be taught using “floaties” - those inflation devices strapped around the chest. My thinking is that those devices give a fall sense of confidence, and in my sons case, he actually isnt afraid of the water enough … he needs to respect it more. OTOH, I need to be holding him, or at least supporting him, at all times in the water and could see at some point him needing some floatation assistence in learning to swim on his own.
So what is the conventional wisdom about using floatation devices in teaching a toddler to swim? Sometimes? Always? Never?
Really, there are a good dozen or so books on teaching your child to swim. The discourse would be better addressed there than amongst the lot of us. Although I am sure you’ll get lots of opinions.
I taught my daughter to swim with the Aqua Learn. It was spectacular! If I had to do it again I would use this 100x. Best 25 I’ve ever spent.
It comes w/ 8 styrofome tubes that are removable as the child gains comfort and confidence. When I put it on her, I immediately removed the two on the sides, leaving 3 front/back for better arm motion. Her posture was exactly the way we should be in the water. Feet down. No rolling backward or face down. I could let her go from the start. As she paddled and laughed, and over time, I gradually removed the tubes 1 at a time (about 2 weeks total) while we were in the water. She never noticed. She is now 11, and swims w/ me everywhere. Tri’s too!